Molecular components, usually attached to a
carbon atom, that aid in
chemical reactions
Functional groups include:
- Hydrogen (-H), used in almost all organic molecules.
- Hydroxl (-OH), used in nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and alcohols.
- Carboxyl, (-COOH), used in amino and fatty acids.
- Amino, (-NH2). Used in amino and nucleic acids.)
- Phosphate, (H2PO4), used in nucleic acids and phospholipids.
- Methyl, (-CH3), mostly used in lipids.